
r ^p 



Qi m cfuS0 



HOFFMANN, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



S]Telt\,_,H 



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UNITED STATES OF AHEUICA. 



11 




^^■^^^-^C^l,^r^"^^j^yi!kytyC^~Z/^^ 



Of tl^eSribeofJudal; 

Otf^er poems. 



BY 

ALBERT FRANK HOFFMANN, 



Published by 
Private Subscription. 



Edited by 
Kdwjn F. Flynn. 



vs^"^ 






CINCINNATI, O. 

S. Rosenthal & Co., Printers, 203 Vine Street. 

1891. 



Copyright. 



NDEX. 



PAGE. 

Preface .... 7 

1. Of the Tribe of Judah 9 

2. Reincarnation 34 

3. The Mystery of the Stars 37 

4. Some Day 40 

5. Psalm One Hundred and Seventeen 41 

6. Song of the Sea 42 

7. With Him for Aye 43 

8. Before the Storm 45 

9. The Dying Year 46 

10. Some Time 47 

11. Musing at Eventide 49 

12. Rondeau 51 

13. When the Mists have Rolled Awa}^ 52 

14. Some Sweet Day By and By 54 

15. Retrospection 56 

16. The Death Angel 58 

] 7. The Golden Wedding 61 

18. A Psalm of Hope 63 

19. The Decoration Day 65 

20. Grace Before Meals 68 

21. A Plea 69 

22. Rondeau 70 

23. To My Wife 71 

24. Independence Day 73 

25. An Order for a Picture 75 

26. In Memoriam of the Firemen 

William Bocklage and Edward Anderson. 77 

27. The Holy Grail 79 

28. Shadow Paintings on Thanksgiving Pa'c ... 80 



THIS VOI.UME IS DEDICATED TO THE 
SUBSCRIBERS. 



With the hope that it may shed — 

A ray of light 
Athwart their path when hope has fled ; 

Amid earth's night. 

—A. F. H. 



First Baptist Church Study. 



7\S "^ "TJS '^ ^ "^ 



PREFACE TO THE BOOK. 

Cincmnati, O., jYoi'. iqt/i 1891. 

77^(5' poems co)itaincd i)i this little volume have, viost 
of them, appeared in the ConiDiercial Gazette, Evening 
Post, and Herald and Presbytery ; all of these papers 
published i)i this eity. The author is a very young man 
and has ventured this volume only as a promise of what 
he believes 7c>ill eome in a larger way 2i.it h years and 
ripening thought. 

A good deal of the se/itiment has been ivorked out in 
the hard seliool of experience, and as his Pastor, I knoiv 
that : " The anguish of the singer has made the sweetness 
of the straiiiT His thought for the past two years has 
been risiiig out of the more conveiitional conceptions of 
God and his relation to man into a broader sweep and a 
deeper motive. There are poems here which are indica- 
tive of this transition, to ine they are the best -which the 
book co)itains. Taking into consideratio)i the fact that 
these poems were ivritten betwee?i times of hard and 
active labor and by one 7uho has known -what it is to -work 
-with his hands for his niaijitenance during years wheii 
other boys are at school, the artistic excellence of the -work 
is remarkable. 

As one of my young men, I cherish the right to a 
large pride in the author, and cheerfully act as God- 
father to the volume. 

M. C. LOCKWOOD, Pastor. 



THE STORY OF CHRIST. 



PROLOGUE. 



THK FALL. 



Jfrnmortal were they, our first parents, 'til 
fl They listened to the tempter born of Hell- 
F To the Arch Fiend, and listening they fell, 
By disobeying their Creator's will. 



THE CURSE. 

Made mortal were they by the primal sin, 
Their Eden gone — yet thro' the darkness shone 
The light of hope, and they w^ere not alone — 
For with His justice, mercy entered in 

THE PROMISE. 

Ere they were driven forth from Eden's gate, 
God's mercy showed itself to them, and He 
A promise gave — that of her seed should be 
A son who should redeem their lost estate. 

<9) 



thp: prophesies. 

And of His station, it was said that He 
Should be of princely birth, that He should spring 
From Judah's Tribe, and David's house, a kino;- — 
King, prince and ruler, ever more to be. 

Trie prophets as the ages onward rolled, 
Spake of the Son, who in that coming day , 
Should free them from the curse of death, and they 
His lowly ])irth and suffering fortold. 

Of virgin mother born, the Christ should be, 
For so the prophets said, and when he came, 
Divine should be His coming, and His name 
Is Jesus, for His people He shall free. 

thp: annunciation. 

To Mary, wife of Joseph, came the voice 

Of the Arch- Angel Gabriel, and he 

Spake thus : " Fear not, God hath o'ershadowed thee, 

Thou hast found favor in His sight — rejoice. 

"The Hoi}' Ghost thro' thee with man shall blend, 
The holy thing that shall be born of thee. 
Shall be the Son of God, the mighty tree 
Of Israel, whose kingdom hath no end." 



CHRISTMAvS BELLS. 

Listen to the merry bells, 
Hear the Christmas bells ; 
Now their melod}^ fortells 

Peace and joy 

Without alloy, 
As the rythmic music swells 

On the air. 

It seems to bear 
A message of good will to men, 
A peace be^^ond our human ken. 

Hear them chime, oh hear the bells, 

Hear the holy bells, 

Hear the anthem grand, it tells 

Of the birth— 

The holy birth 
Of the Christ, and as it swells 

Grand and free, 

I seem to see 
The things that were on that bright morn, 
When Christ the holy child was born. 



PART FIRST. 



THE NATIVITY — WITH HYMN. 
I. 

hush is brooding over all — 'tis night, 
I Judea's hills are bathed in hallowed light: 
1^^ See in the ether depths yon flaming star, 
Celestial in its brightness — from afar 
'Tis seen by wise men — wizards of the East, 
A Hindoo, Greek, and an Egytian priest, 
lyong had they sought, yea long and vainly so. 
The God unknown to them, and now they go 
In search of Him, the star their guide 
Doth lead them to a manger's side ; 
In swaddling cloths they see Him lie 
The "Prince of Peace," and drawing nigh. 
They bend the knee and homage pay, 
Acknowledging His might}' sway. 

(12) 



— 13 — 
II. 
The shephards as they watch their flock at night, 
Encompassed are by a Celestial light ; 
And they a glorious vision do behold, 
A scene whose glory never can be told. 
'Tis an Arch- Angel that to them appears, 
Amid a heav'nly host — he quells their fears. 
Hark ! Listen to the message that is borne 
From Heav'n, tells it of the natal morn. 

Behold glad tidings of great joy. 

Good will and peace without alloy 

We bring, for unto you this day 

Is born a Savior, haste away 

To Bethlehem — the star your guide 

Will lead you to Messiah's side. 

III. 
To God be all the giory, angels sing. 
For unto 3'ou this day is born a king ; 
The Christ He shall be called, for He shall be 
The Savior of His people, and shall free 
Them troni transgression, praise ye —praise tlie Lord, 
Praise Him, ye nations all, with one accord. 
The heav'nly babe brings joy beyond the keu 
Of humankind — peace and good will to men ; 



— 14 — 

And now the glory of His birth 
Steals o'er the weary sinful earth. 
The heavens ope' — an anthem grand 
Is chanted by an angel band. 
Now hark ! The song on seraph wing. 
Is borne to me — 'tis thus they sing. 

Thrice blessed morn 

On which is born 
Th' Eternal King of Kings ; 

Peace and good will 

The earth to fill, 
From Heav'n Messiah brings. 

The realms of light 

For earthly night 
He leaves — the sacrifice 

Will break the ban, 

Restore to man 
The loss of Paradise. 

Oh praise the Lord 

With one accord, 
To him be glory given ; 

Let joyful lays 

And earnest praise, 
Reach Him who reigns in Heav'n. 



— 15 - 

Blest be the morn 

For he is born, 
The Savior, King of Kings; 

Peace and good will 

The earth to fill, 
With Him Messiah brings. 




PART SECOND. 



THE PASSION PLAY. 
I. 

^he vScene is changed, and after many 3'ears 
iwv Have ta'en their flight, the Christ again appears; 
Appears where Jordan rolls, to there begin 
His ministery, redeeming men from sin. 
A dove of fire appears above His head 
Mid a Celestial glory — Heav'n shed; 
God bears Him witness ere the work begun, 
Declaring Him His well-beloved Son. 
Troughout Judea men extol his deeds. 
In Him the Jew and Gentile lose their creeds ; 
The blind receive their sight. He heals the lame, 
E'en from the tomb doth He the dead reclaim 
In every work He showeth them a sign, 
His every act is born of the divine. 
His wisdom doth compel belief — 'tis He, 

The long expected Christ of prophesy 

(16) 




'Mid a Celestial Glorv — Heaven Shed. 



— ^7 — 
II. 
The priesthood seeing now their every hope 
In jeopardy, must needs with Him to cope. 
They see their rule of darkness giving place 
To better things, and breaking o'er the race 
They see the newer day; and in the man, 
They see the breaking of the cursed ban 
Of superstition, they see all their power 
A loss, through Him. They see the mighty tower- 
The fortress of the priest-craft swept away, 
They fear the teachings of the Christ, and they 
Seek for His life. "The Son of Man" heeds not 
The wolfish clique, nor gives to them a thought. 
They can not harm the man until the hour 
Ordained of God is come, and all their power 
Is spent for naught. But we must turn again 
To Christ, for He, far from the haunts of men 
Betakes His way, to there commune with God — 
To suffer ere He tastes the chastening rod. 

III. 

As the Christ nears Gethsemane, 
The shadows o'er Him steal 

Of the impending gloom, and He 
In prayer is seen to kneel. 



— i8 - 

He speaks, and now the Savior's eye 

Is lifted to the throne on high. 

For man he prays, the while His soul 

Is tempest tost mid surges roll. 

But hark ! The prayer I seem to hear, 

'Tis borne to me, soft, low and clear. — 

THE PRAYER. 

I. 

Dear Father, now the hour is come, 

I pray Thee, glorify Thy son 

Whom Thou hast sent, that he also 

May glorif}^ Thee here below. 

For thou the power to him hast given 

Of life eternal, and hast riven 

The bonds of Death, that he might give 

To whosoever would believe 

On Thee, the True, the Living One, 

And me, Thy .son, Thine only .son. 

Eternal life. On earth have I 

Thee glorified; the hour is nigh, 

The work is finished, I pray Thee, 

Oh, Father, glorify Thou me 

With Thine ownself, the glory that 

Was mine, ere was the earth begat. 



— 19 — 
II. 

I manifested have Thy name, 
To them Thou gavest me, the same 
Are Thine; Thy word in them is found, 
They know, that in which I abound 
Is all for Thee — they have received 
Thy word, and me they have believed. 
For them I pray which are from Thee 
For them that Thou hast given me. 
For they are Thine they which are mine, 
And through them doth our glory shine. 
Oh, Holy Father, be their stay — 
Their guide, w^hen I no longer may 
Be with them, then I pray as one 
Ma}^ they all be, like Father, Son. 

III. 

None have I lost Thou gavest me, 
None, save the 'Scariot, and he 
Fulfilled the Scripture hath, which saith 
"Perdition's Son, should to the death 
His Lord betray." Now unto Thee 
I come, I pray these things may be ; 
That they might conquer Death and Sin, 
That they my joy might have within. 



Because they are not of the world. 
It hated them, at them is hurled 
Its scorn ; yet I pray not that Thou 
Should'st take them from the world, but how 
To conquer evil, do Thou teach 
Each one. Now Father, I beseech 
Thee, sanctify them through Thy word, 
The word of truth which thev have heard. 



IV. 

And now into the world I send 

These who are mine, as Thou did'st send 

Thine only son —and for their sake 

I sanctify myself — O! make 

Thy sanctifyng power now 

Upon them come, as I here bow. 

Yet not for these alone I pray, 

But for all, whosoever they 

Ma}^ be, who through their word believe 

On me, for them this prayer receive. 

As Thou, O Father, art in me. 

And I in Thee, oh, may they be 

As one; that all the w^orld may know 

Whom Thou hast sent, now I bestow 



— 21 — 



The glory that Thou gavest me 

On them, that they as one might ])e. 

And perfected in one, as we 

Are one — that all the world may see 

The love wherewith Thou loved'st me. 

V. 

For thou did'st love me ere was laid 
The Earth's foundation — when is paid 
The ransom, Father, take Thou me 
To Thine ownself, and may they be 
At one with us. Now may the love 
I had with Thee in realms above. 
In these be found, and may in them 
My image be. I pray. Amen. 

VI. 

And rising now, He seeks Gethsemane. 

The faire.st garden in all Israel ; 

His followers are left to watch, for He 

Would be alone, to suffer, and to tell 

His Father of the battle that within 

His breast was raging for the mastery— 

To ask for strength to conquer Death and Sin, 

For strength to gain the mighty victory. 



VII. 

And finding now His comrades fast asleep, 

He wakens them, and tells them that the hour 

Ordained of God is come — that He must reap 

The sting of Death. Betrayed into the power 

Of sinners and the priest-craft, is the Son 

Of the Most High — His life's work's nearly done. 

They seek His life, nor seek they it in vain, 

For Judas, the Iscariot — to gain 

A paltry sum of gold, doth Him betray 

Into the hands of the priest-craft, and they 

Bear Him before the governor, and there 

Charge Him with blasphemy, themselves forswear. 

Now the false witnesses bring forth their lies, 

To hurl against the calm of His sad eyes ; 

The council mob press near, and they increase 

In wrath and hate, the while Christ holds His peace. 




Crucified. 



"^ 



THE CRUCIFIXION. 



I 



|ovv see the "Son of Man." 
('ftn, With God-like majesty 

Before the dread tribunal stand ; 
Misjudge would set Him free. 

But no, "The man must die," 
So cries the rabble herd, 
"Come, crucify the blasphemer," 
They shout with one accord. 

Not guilty, saith the law 
By which the man is tried ; 
" His blood be on our heads" they cry, 
If He is crucified. 

The judge, to cleanse himself 
His hands doth wash — he seeks 
To flee from the dread crime, of which 

His inner conscience speaks. 

(23^ 



— 24 — 

They crown His head with thorns, 
Then hail the "Nazarene" 
Their king, in scornful jest, which He 
Bears with majestic mien. 

They clamor for His blood, 
Their wrath to gratify ; 
Mid scorn and insult, gibe and sneer, 
They lead Him forth to die. 

And now tow'rd Calvary 
With a misguided zeal, 
The rabble hord betakes its way 
For human woe or weal. 

I see the Master sink 
Beneath His burden grim, 
The Cyrene, Simon, volunteers 
To bear the cross for Him. 

And now they near the goal. 
The crucifixion place; 
Where the destroyer grim doth reign, 
Where Death has left his trace. 



1 hear the ringing ])low.s, 
Their hellish works begin ; 
No cr}^ is heard — no murmur — as 
The nails are driven in. 

For Jesus holds His peace 
Mid the encircling gloom, 
And like a lamb to slaughter led, 
He calmly meets His doom. 

Uplift they now the cross, 
He hangs 'twixt earth and sky, 
With an heroic courage He 

Bears all, nor heaves a sigh. 

Two others meet their fate, 
They, too, are crucified; 
They curse and rave in agony, 
And pray for the death-tide. 

One, turning now to Christ, 
In .scorn and mockery. 
With curses saith, " If Thou be (xod. 
Us and Thvself .set free.' 



— 26 — 

lu a rebuking tone, 
The other answ'ring saith : 
" Dost thou not fear the wrath of God, 
Eternified in death?" 

"Our death is merited, 
Our acts have led to this ; 
But He who dies with us to-day, 
Has nothing done amiss." 

And turning now to Christ 
''Jesus," I hear him say, 
"When to Thy kingdom Thou art come. 
Remember me, I pray." 

The answer quickly comes : 
' In Paradise this day 
Thy soul shall be ; and thou shalt dwell 
In that bright realm for aye.' 

But even as He speaks, 
The trumpet sounds the hour, 
And then a change, stupendous change, 
Seems to bespeak His power. 



— 27 — 

For see yon inky clouds, 
They change the day to night ; 
They veil the sun's bright face, and fill 
Men with dismay and fright. 

The lightnings, flashing now, 
Illuminate His form; 
A halo of Celestial light, 

Surrounds Him mid the storm. 

x\ strange, unearthly dread. 
Has settled over all ; 
For three long awful hours, the clouds 
Hang there like a dark pall 

And as the darkness fades, 
The lightnings flash the more 
About His form, anon is heard 
The distant thunders' roar. 

Intense the anguish, that 
Is written on His face; 
On it the inward suffering, 

And pain doth leave its trace. 



— 28 — 

By God and man alike 
Deserted now he seems; 
Round Him, like lances made of fire, 
The livid lightning gleams. 

Now hark ! Dost hear His voice, 
In bitter anguish, He 
Cries out : " My Father, tell me wh}- 
Thou hast forsaken me." 

And then He prays, alike, 
For Gentile and for Jew : 
"Oh, Father, these forgive, for they — 
They know not what they do." 

Once more I hear Him speak : 
"My Father, take Thou me; 
Tis finished, and I now commend 
My spirit unto Thee. 

His head falls on His breast, 
His spirit now has flown : 
A halo for an instant, plays 
About His earthly throne. 



— 29 — 

And then the earth doth quake. 
And men are terrified, 
The temple's veil is rent in twain, 
The tombs are opened wide. 

And the centurion now, 

In fear, is heard to say : 

" This truly was the Son of God, 

We've crucified to-day." 

His body now is ta'en 
From the accursed place ; 
They give the seeming Conquered One, 
To the cold tombs embrace. 

Ah ! Little do they think, 
That ere three days are flown, 
That He will gain the victory. 
The grave be overthrown. 

But see, the night has flown, 
Her sable wings have borne 
Her from the shores of darkness, and 
The glad new day is born. 



THE EASTER TRADITION. 



I. 

mystic quiet reigned, 
A vStillness lingered there ; 
The night of Death had waned, 
And on that morning fair — 

Ere the Sun had yet bespoken, 
That the dawn of day had broken. 
The chains of Death were riven, 
And eternal life was given — 
To mankind. 

II. 
When drow^siness from earth 
Had scarce begun to flee, 
The early morn gave birth 
To immortalit}^ — 

Then the weeping and the sadness 
Of the earth were turned to gladness, 
The Lord of Life ascended. 
In His wings had healing blended 
For the blind 
(30) 



III. 

Angelic hosts had come 

At earl}' dawn of day, 

The}' rolled the barrier from 

The tomb wherein He lay — 

And they sang a song, "He liveth 
Who was dead, 'Tis He that giveth 

A peace which is abiding, 

And the promise of His guiding — 
Till the end. 



IV. 



He came the Prince — the King, 

Eternal life He gave ; 

Oh! Death where is thy sting, 

Thy victor}', oh! Grave. 

Thou art robbed, thy bonds are broken, 
For He lives and He has spoken, 

His voice is still resounding 

Thro' the earth, and joys abounding — 
With it blend. 



Tho' centuries have fled. 

His accents still survive, 

*'I am he that was dead ; 

Behold I am alive" — - 

Thro' the ages still is glowing 
Ivike the Sun — on man bestowing, 

A faith which is ne'er shaken, 

Which, when seemingly forsaken — 
Doth abide. 

VI. 

When conies the reaper Death, 

Again we'll hear His voice ; 

When leaves the parting breath, 

Our spirits will rejoice — 

In the end we'll find perfection, 
In the Living Ressurection, 

When earth's dark ties are riven 

ITs to realms of bliss — to Heaven- 
Will be sfuide 




He is risen — Christ is risen. 



THE AFTERTHOUGHT. 



Ilj^^e is risen — Christ is risen, 
The chaotic state of night, 
Which for centuries enshrouded 
Humankind, hath taken its flight. 

He hath overcome earth's bondage. 
Fetters broken — He is free ; 
Over Death and all his minnions. 
He hath gained the victory. 

He is risen — Christ is risen, 
Bringing joy to fill the earth- 
Joy and gladness, at the coming 
Of that blessed second birth. 

He hath robbed the grave of vict'ry, 
Immortality is born— 
Softly angel voices whisper, 
On the hallowed Easter morn. 

He is risen — Christ is risen. 
Lifted is the cursed gloom. 
And the mists have rolled in splendor 
From the shadows of the tomb. 
Finis. 
(33) 



REINCARNATION. 



4ie soft even shadevS were blending 
With the deeper gloom of night, 
While the far off stars were sending 
Forth their mellow rays of light — # 
Mellow light, which, in its falling, 
Wierd, uncanny shadows cast, 
Which iorever seemed recalling 
Ghostly pictures from the past. 

Death was there, and there was dying, 

And the last link in the chain 
Had been forged — the winds were sighing, 

A sad and dirge-like refrain ; 
And the bright stars, far off, glimmered. 

Ever glimmered, ever shimmered — 
And the winds forever moaning, 

Ever moaning, ever groaning — 
Changed their music into sighing 
Dirges, for one who was dying. 

As the Reaper Grim drew near, 

To relieve the aged seer — 
All was dark and desolate. 
(34) 



All was dark and desolate, 
And the wild winds seemed to nie — 

As thro' the leafless trees 
They shrieked — to laugh in fiendish glee, 

Laugh and mock at misery. 

^ And upon a couch near by, 

Lay a withered, wasted form, 

The voyage nearly o'er, 
He saw the haven — where no storm 

Vents its fury — weary, worn. 

In his dreams I heard him speak 
Of the meadow and the glade. 

Where 'neath the trees he oft 
Had sought the cool, refreshing shade — 

Then the picture seemed to fade. 

Then, again he dreamed, a strange, 
Wierd, wald dream — my blood was chilled 

By morbid fancies, w^hich 
His wierd hallucinations willed. 

Then they ceased, forever stilled— 
He was dead, 
He was dead. 



- 36 - 

When I awakened from my dreaming. 
Still the far off stars were gleaming; 
And the wild winds which were moaning, 
Ceased their moaning and their groaning— 
And the spirit which ascended 
Long before, had been imblended 
Into me, and I was living — 
Who had lived, and I was giving 
Forth but a continuation 
Of his life. 

Reincarnation, 
Oil, the mystery is unending, 
That of life forever blending ; 
It will merge into perfection. 
And a living resurrection. 
When hath ended skepticism, 
And all creed and every chism ; 
Real will be the scripture story, 
We shall see the Father's glory — 

In that da}-. 

In that day. 



THE MYSTERY OF THE STARS. 



fe glittering stars, which gleam 
And sparkle thro' the night : 
•^^^ When quiet reigns supreme, 
I watch your fairy light. 
When all, yes. all, in sleep 
Have closed each wear}^ eye, 
When earth — when sky— when deep, 
In stillness shrouded lie — 
I ponder then, 

I wonder when 

Ye got your birth. 

And o'er the earth 
Cast your first ray of light. 
Ye guardians of the night. 

Who hung ye there in .space. 
Ye beauteous gems of night. 
To guard the human race, 
The universe to light. 

(37) 



- 38 - 

What power broke the bars 
And 4eft your radiance out, 
To kindle space — ye stars 
When did ye put to rout — 
Chaotic night, 

That earthly blight, 

Which man .still feels, 

'Neath which he reels, 
When darkness like a pall. 
Hath spread herself o'er all. 

How fair ye shine to-night, 
The heavens seem to glow, 
A radiant mellow light 
Is shed on all below. 
In slumber wrapt, the earth. 
Beneath your watchful care. 
Sleeps calmly, till the birth 
Of amber morning fair — 
At break of day 
Ye pass away, 

Ye come once more, 

When darkness o'er 
The earth her wings hath spread, 
When scarce the twilight's fled 



— 39 — 

That power infinite, 

Which being gave to you ; 

His purpose what was it — 

To guide, and to imbue 

The sons of men with light, 

As twinkling brightly ye 

Would guide them thro' the night, 

Across life's raging sea ? 

This His design, 

This why ye shine ? 



And then in accents low, and clear, 
The answer comes, 'tis this I liear- 

We here abide, 

The soul to guide 
Into the realms of day, 
When night has passed away. 



SOME DAY 



ome day, and shall we ever see 

That longed for sweet some day ? 
Yes, when our joys shall blended be 
With those of Heav'n ; when sinless, we 
Shall dwell with God for aye. 

And in that longed for, sweet some day. 

The Ivord will know His own ; 
When these our souls have winged their way 
To regions bright, of endless day ; 
We'll know as we are known. 

Some day — aye some day — we shall see 

Frustrations of to-day 
In glad fruition ; hope shall be 
Changed to existance then, and we 

With Him shall dwell for aye. 

In that, sweet longed for, coming day, 

His children He will own ; 
Their dwelling place, the realms of day 
When earthly night has passed away — 

The unknown shall be known. 

(40) 



PSALM ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN. 



M^^e nations, all, your voices raise, 
■^K Chant to the Lord a song sublime ; 
'^^ Enweaving in the rythmic rhyme, 
To God the good, your highest praise. 

He witness bears you, by the blaze 
Of His own hallowed love sublime. 
Which burns within. Thro' present time, 
And the eternity of days. 

The mercy of the Lord is sure, 
To us ward loving-kind is He ; 
His truth forever shall endure, 
Thro' time and thro' eternity. 

Then sing your praises to the Lord, 
Ye nations, all, with one accord. 



(40 



THE SONG OF THE SEA. 



I. 

^ad the thoughts it recalls to-night, 

The murmuring voices of the sea 
As it breaks on the cold, gray rocks, 
It brings back the past to me. 

II. 

In the hush of the summer night, 

I hear its sweet song, and for me — ■ 

The wild waves as they lap the shores, 
Chant a sweet, sad melod3\ 

III. 

'Tis a ballad of long ago, 

Of hopes that have withered away ; 
And the song that they chaftt to-night, 

But recalls the yesterdav. 



(42) 



WITH HIM FOR AYE. 



I. 

'ho' every hope becomes a blight, 
This life be like the darkling night, 
^^ Since Christ is mine ; 

I know this suffering shall cease, 
I know vSome da}' I shall find peace, 
A peace divine — 

With Him for a>e. 

11. 

Tho' stormy clouds sweep overhead. 
Tho' rugged, steep, the path I tread. 

And darkness there ; 
I'll trust Him till that living day 
vShall break o'er me — since then I may 

His glory share — 

With Him for aye. 

(43) 



— 44 



III. 



Ill sunshine and when shadows fall, 
Jesus is mine, ni}^ all in all, 

In Him I trust ; 
He sticketh closer than a friend, 
He'll guide me to the journey's end 

I shall be blest— 

With Him for aye. 

IV. 

Tho' bleak the elements which sweep 
The rugged road — His grace will keep 

My soul when tried ; 
Into the glorious realms of light, 
vSome day my soul shall take its flight, 

To there abide — 

With Him for aye. 



BEFORE THE STORM. 

oppressive is the darkness hanging o'er 
M All nature, and unearthly is the light 
•W<^^ With which it blended is — 'tis as a blight 
To humankind from some plutonian shore. 
A silence strange and an oppressive calm, 
Seems to prevade and fill the atmosphere 
With a forboding ill ; I seem to hear 
Strange voices chanting an unearthly psalm. 
The night wind bears to me the curfew's chime. 
And in prophetic voice it seems to say : 
"The hour is come and earth must pass away, 
Eternity has brought the end of Time." 

THE STORM. 

And now in fury wild the storm doth break. 
And thunders roar and vivid lightnings gleam ; 
They cast wierd, ghostly shadows, and they seem 
Betokening the God whom men forsake. 

THE AFTERTHOUGHT. 

E'en as I muse, the storm clouds take their flight. 
And through the rifted Heav'ns far above, 
The twinkling stars declare the God of love ; 
As they the earth fill with their .silvery light. 

(45) 



THE DYING YEAR. 



^lie tide is on the ebb, and the old year 
Is dying now, and as the end he nears 
W^ No requiem is chanted, and no tears 
Are shed for him. Now hark ! I seem to hear 
The dying chime, 'tis sounding low and clear, 
And born upon the winds — with it appears 
The Angel Death, he bids me quell my fears, 
Bespeaks he brighter hopes beyond the bier. 

The distant curfew's tolling low and clear 
Chime a farewell — the age now disappears 
Mid sighings of the wind — born to mine ears 
It seemeth as a dirge for the dead j^ear. 

See — as it fades away, upon the bier 
A light is shed, the dawn of a new 3^ear. 



(46) 



SOME TIME. 



fho' dark and drear the stormy clouds, 
Are sweeping o'er the main ; 
W^ Tho' dark and dreary be life's night, 
The heart be filled with pain— 
We know 'twill not be very long, 

'Till they are swept awa}^ ; 
The stormy clouds will be no more, 
When breaks the dawning day. 
For surely the Eternal One 
Will give us peace, will say well done — 

Some time 

We know in Autumn that the leaves 

Will fade and pass away, 
That summer skies will be no more, 

That tints of sombre gray 
Will mark where once the sky was blue ; 



(47) 



- 4-S - 

Mayhap 'twill make us mourn, 
Por bright and pleasant summer days 

That never will return. 
Yet, summers new, full well we know, 
May richer gifts on us bestow — 

Some time. 

Tho' blighted be our every hope, 

By sorrows chilling blast ; 
Tho' sad this earthly pilgrimage, 

We'll reach the end at last. 
The end, where storms and withering blasts 

Of life will only lend, 
The sunlight of eternal love, 

On earth a glorious end. 
What joy 'twill be to reach that shore, 
Where all is peace fore verm ore — 

Some time. 



MUSING AT EVENTIDE. 



'he daylight fades, 
^[|1 The Sun sinks in the West ; 

The even shades, 
Come with their cool, sweet rest. 
I sit alone. 
Anon is born to me 
The night winds moan. 
It chants a lullaby. 

The wind with many a moaning sound, 
Sweeps 'neath the eaves and all around. 
Now hark ! dost hear in w^ailing tone. 
Born on the winds that piteous moan? 

It seems like the despairing cry 
Of some lost soul, not doomed to die — 
But doomed to wander, doomed b}^ fate 
Thus some dark past to expiate. 
* , 'I- 

Nay, 'tis the night wind sweeping by, 
With many a moan, and many a sigh ; 
With many a shriek in fiendish glee, 
For monarch of the .storm is he. 
(49) 



— 50 — 

Now rich and strong, 
Now soft and low, they chant 

What seems a song 
Of angels visitant ; 

And now to me 
There comes a spirit call, 

And mystery 
Seems brooding over all, 

Now Hark ! the winds in rhythm low 
A cadance sweet on me bestow, 
And voices from the past I hear. 
They come to me, sweet, low and clear. 

They chant a hollowed song of love, 
Borne from the brightest realms above ; 
A message sweet they bear to me — 
They calm life's troubled, restless sea. 

And as they sweep, with moaning sound, 
Beneath the eaves and all around, 
God's angels do with me abide, 
While I muse thus an eventide. 



RONDEAU. 



;iSv,^iy Father, lead Thou me — the wild, 

MWW ^^^^^^ vStorms of life beat round Thy child. 

^^"s^- Thou art the rock on which I stand, 

As the wild waves beat on the strand 

Which borders the eternal land. 

Let not my soul e'er be beguiled 
By the iVrch Fiend ; who had reviled 
Its Maker — b}' Thy clas-ped hand. 

M}^ Father, lead Thou me. 

Teach me to know and understand 
Thy will, that I may do it, and 
Thy presence when the storm is wild, 
Let it surround Thine erring child — 
Till I have gained fair Canaan's strand, 

Mv heather, lead Thou me. 



(51) 



WHEN THE MISTS HAVE ROLLED AWAY. 



i^ho' crushed be each fond hope that hes 
Ife Within the human breast ; 

'^■^ Tho' broken be all earthly ties. 
Our spirits be oppressed ; 
Tho' bleak — tho' barren be the way, 

Remember ere the dawn 
'Tis darkest ; and the breaking day 

Will see thy sorrow gone. 
To realms of joy thy soul shall flee, 
From earthly woe forever free — 

When the mists have rolled away. 

Tho' stormy clouds may sweep to-day 

Across the raging main ; 
We know that when they've passed away, 

The Sun will shine again — 
That after storms have swept the skies, 

The Sun at eve will set 
In splendor, 'mid Celestial dyes, 

Which one can ne'er forget. 
'Tis thus we'll end this pilgrimage, 
Like as the Sun — no storms will rage - 

When the mists have rolled away. 
(52) 



53 



Tho' torn asunder — cast aside. 

Each expectation be ; 
Tho' swept awa}' by storm and tide, 

The dawning day will see 
Our blighted hopes in bloom again, 

In harmony each chord ; 
Where ransomed souls a glad refrain 

Are chanting to the Lord — 
'Tis thus our grief shall melt away, 
With that first flash of Heavenly day — 

When the mists have rolled away, 

Tho' man is weak and prone to err. 

To wander from his God ; 
All human kind is wont to share 

In this — this path is trod 
By all ; yet He, the God of love, 

Who doeth for the best 
All things, will in the realms above, 

Give to the weary rest. 
The earth-tried soul shall take its flight, 
Into the hallowed realms of light — 

When the mists have rolled away. 



SOME SWEET DAY BY AND BY. 

I. 

ome sweet day b}^ and by — 

Precious promise He has given, 

That when earth's dark ties are riven, 

We shall meet Him, and forever 

Dwell with Him, where naught can sever 

Us from the Eternal love. 

We shall meet Him there above — 

Some sweet day by and by. 

n. 

Some sweet day by and by — 

There shall be no more of sighing. 
There shall be no more of dying ; 
At the dawning of the morning— 
Of that fair and glorious morning, 
When life's night has passed away, 
When has come the living day — 

Some sweet day by and by. 



(54) 



— 55 — 



III. 



Some sweet day b}^ and by — 

Shall be blotted out the sorrow 
Of this life — and on the morrow- 
Shall our spirits find their nesting.;- 
On His bosom — sweetly resting 
From all earthly strife and care. 
When shall break the morning fair- 
Some sweet day by and by. 



IV. 

Some sweet day by and by — 

When death's damp is o'er us stealing, 
When the dying chime is pealing- 
Then shall we, the Savior guiding, 
Reach our home, and there abiding 
Thro' the everlasting day — 
We shall dwell with Him for aye — 

Some sweet dav bv and by. 



RETROSPECTION. 



I. 

lie storm hath ta'en its flight, 
g|[||J^^ The heavens show no sign, 

Save where thro' rifted clouds, 
The stars in splendor shine. 
The Moon, pale orb of night, 
Wierd shadows now doth cast ; 
And they awake within 
A memory of the past. 

II. 

I think of happy hours 

I've spent in days gone by, 

I see the broken chains 

In glittering ruin lie. 

The night winds seem to bear 

A message now to me, 

A happy, smiling face, 

In pictured scenes I see. 



(56) 



57 — 



III. 

Again I seem to hear 
The distant church bells chime, 
Their music soft and clear. 
As in the olden time 
Is borne to me ; again 
Together home we walk, 
On pleasant Sabbath eves, 
And of the future talk. 

IV. 

But now those dreams have flown, 
And as the shadows fall — 
Their weird and ghostly forms, 
These memories recall. 
Yet the bright stars, which shine 
In splendor far away, 
Betoken glad fruition, 
In the realms of day. 



THE DEATH ANGEL 

A PROGRESSION OF THOUGHT. 



INTRODUCTION. 

^he daily toil was done, twilight had flown ; 
"WfS Without, the wind, with many a moan and groan, 
^^ Sighed thro' the leafless trees, all cold and bright 
The moonbeams fell, they kindled space— their light, 
Weird, phantom shadows cast upon the floor. 
In fancy, scenes of medieval lore 
The}' brought to mind, when suddenly before 
Me stood the "King of Terrors," in the dim. 
Uncertain light, and thus I spake to him — 

THP: ADDRESS. 

Destroyer grim, tell me, art thou the end. 
Is there no future life, no paths that trend 
Beyond the bier? The tomb, is't there we cease 
To have our being, and is there no peace 
Beyond this earthly veil? Oblivion, 
This the reward for which the race is run ? 

(58) . 



— 59 — 

If this be true, then I would seek Ui\- ])reast. 

To sleep forever— there at least to rest. 

Art thou the consummation of all things ? 

Then whence. Oh whence, this pleasing hope, which 

[springs 
Up Hke a fount? Borne on this living stream, 
Is hope of future state. Thou'rt not supreme, 
Since thou canst not destroy the vital .spark. 
The flesh thou may'st consume, make it the mark 
For worms to feed upon, and turn again 
The dust to dust — the earth to earth — attain 
A victory complete o'er mortal man. 
Not that wherein creation first began. 
Which is the life of all. 

Yet thou, oh death. 
Thou "King of Terror," lurks there in thy breast 
What seems destruction. Power thou ha.st none, 
E'en to destroy : since the Eternal One 
Is not more fixed than our material things — 
Thou canst but change their form. This why there 

[springs 
Within, a hope of immortality — 
A hope of future good, from evil free. 



— 6o — 

Yet why, why prate I thus ? No enmity 

Has thou toward human kind ; thou would'st but free 

Us from the curse which our first parents brought 

Upon the human race. In vain we've sought 

To 'scape from evil, and no other way 

Save thee we've found. When from this mqrtal clay 

Thou pluckest us, thou messenger of Him, 

The Giver of all life — 'tis then the dim 

And hazy mists betake themselves to flight. 

And over all breaks the Eternal light. 

'Tis then we know with understanding, and, 

From evil free, we seek the better land. 

Blest angel, thou, in garb of sombre hue. 
Thou camest not destroying — rather to 
Fulfill our hopes of the immortal life. 
Beyond earth's cares, beyond this mortal strife. 

* ^ =!< 

And muttering thus, I woke, found I had dreamed, 
And death to me, no more was what it seemed^ — 
An angel of destruction. 



THE GOLDEN WEDDING. 



^wo score and ten, the years ; How swift they fly ! 

Ah, me, how swift ! 
^^ Thy love dear lass, how well remember I 

The precious gift ; 
And in that love I glory still to-da}-, 

And as of yore 
Renew the vow^s, that had been made for aye. 

And evermore 
The distant wedding bells I seem to hear, 

Their merry chime 
Bespeaks affinity, sweet, low and clear, 

In runic rhyme. • 

I live in that sweet far off yesterday, 

When we were wed ; 
In fancy I can see the scene to-day, 

Tho' 3^ears have fled. 
Much have we borne which it was hard to bear. 

Yes, much dear wife. 
Yet God was good, we've had His tender care 

Amid the strife. 
(6i) 



— 62 — 

Our children and grand-children, dearest wife, 

In love shall shield 
Us in declining years, until our life 

In Hea'vn is sealed. 

Life's morning and its noon have ta'en their flight, 

These we have passed, 
Now with the even shadows and twilight, 

Our lot is cast. 
When He shall gather His dear children home, 

With Him to dwell 
Thro' the eternal years, no more to roam. 
All shall be well. 
All shall be well with us dear wife, 
When we have entered in that life. 
Which lies beyond this earthly strife, 
All shall be well. 



(@©) 



SOME TIME— A PSALM OF HOPE. 



I. 

ome time — I know not when. 
'J^l Thou wilt find rest, my soul ; 
This is sufficient now, 
When Thou dost reach thy goal— 
The Lord of Life who did create. 
In joy thy grief shall consummate ; 
Thou 'It grieve no more. 
When life is o'er. 

II. 

Some time, oh soul, thou'lt be, 

Beyond temptations power ; 
Perfected, cleansed, and free 

From sin, when is the hour 
Arrived, wherein thou art called home 
Then soul thou wilt no longer roam — 
No longer roam. 
Far from thy home. 
(63) 



- 64 - 

III. 

Some time, I know not when — 
Thy sorrow, grief and pain, 
Will change to joy- — 'tis then, 
, Pure and without a stain- 
Oh,, soul, in perfect harmony 
With Him, thy Maker, thou shalt be. 
When life is o'er, 
Thou grieve no more. 

IV. 

Some time— somewhere, my soul, 

I know^ thou wait find rest ; 
Some time thou'lt reach thy goal, 

Some time thou shalt be blest — - 
In presence of Eternal Ivight, 
Thy faith — thy faith, shall change to sight ; 
Thou shalt be blest, 
Thou shalt find rest. 



THE DECORATION DAY. 



'he cannon booms no more, 
I The clarion notes of war 
W^ Long since have ceased, and nnity doth reign. 
With garland deck the grave 
Of everj^ hero brave, 
Who for the dear old starry flag was slain. 

I. 

To-day they gather ronnd the graves 

Wherein their comrades lie, 
And hallowed songs are born aloft 

To marshaled hosts on high. 

II. 

Life's morning and its noon have fled, 

The even shadows creep 
About them now, they wait the night 

Wherein they, too, shall sleep. 

(65) 



— 66 — 
III. 

And as they gather round those tombs, 
They wonder who will be, 

The next to answer the roll call 
Of God's Eternity, 

IV. 

The "City of the Dead," recalls 

The far-off yesterday ; 
Death levels all, the tear is shed 

Alike for Blue and Gray. 



A living spectacle — the past, 

In panoramic view, 
The Decoration Day recalls 

For both the Gra}^ and Blue. 

VI. 

Again they march the double quick, 
Through rain and hail and snow ; 

They think not of themselves, but of 
Their country's weal and woe. 



- 67 - 
YII. 

They stand upon the battle field, 

They hear the leaden rain ; 
And curses, prayers, and groans are born 

Across the sodden plain. 

VIII. 

They hear the cannon's thunder tones, 

Shells bursting in the air ; 
The dead and wounded strew the ground, 

And Death is everywhere. 

'Tis but a momentary dream, 

The scene then fades away ; 
They stand again amid the tombs, 

In which their comrades lay. 

With garlands deck the grave 

Of every hero brave, 
Who for the dear old starry flag was slain ; 

The cannon booms no more, 

The clarion notes of war 
Long since have ceased, and unit}- doth reign. 



GRACE BEFORE MEALS. 



^t break of day, at the noontide, 
And when is come the eve ; 
'-^r^ Our voices rise in thankfulness, 
For all that we receive 
From Thee, our God — for Thou dost give 

What for our good is best ; 
And, lyord, we pray, that all Thy gifts 

Ma}' with content be blest. 
Lord, do Thou be with us, until 

We each shall meet again ; 
And ma}' we feel that Thou art near — - 
For Thy name's sake, Amen. 



(68) 



A PLEA. 



H^y Father, all is dark, I cannot see ; 
f / VHf ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ rugged, steep, guide, guide Thou me: 
^^^~ The tempest rages fierce, the storm is high, 
Clasp, Father, clasp ni}' hand, stay Thou near by. 

As darkness gathers round, my soul doth flee 
From overhanging ill, to seek for Thee ; 
So, Father, when I stra3% far from Thy side 
Mid the encircling gloom, do Thou still guide. 

In higher planes than these my soul would live, 
It seeks to know Thee, Lord ; do Thou but give 
Me understanding, then each day shall see 
Me grow, my Father, more — more like to Thee. 

And when life's surges, like a mighty sea 
Are gathering round, then Father, do Thou be 
Near by Thine erring one, and let him feel. 
That Thou, that Thou art near, in woe or weal. 



(69) 



RONDEAU. 



^liaii her I love, none are more fair, 
||[|||p She's roguish eyes, and brownish hair ; 

About her lips a smile will play — 
At my approach it fades away, 
And then I wonder does she care ? 

Her merry laugh, is like a ray 
Of sunshine on a summers day — 
And never maid more debonnaire, 
Than her I love. 

To-day she smiles, and all is fair, 
To-morrow sees me in despair ; 
I often turn, half in dismay, 
To see my vision swept away — 
And yet. Ah me ! None are more fair. 
Than her I love. 



(^o) 



TO MY WIFE 



I. - 

[^he daily toil is done. 

The Sun sinks in the West ; 
^•' The evening shadows come, 
Come with their cool, sweet rest ; 
And I — I conjure up 
A wee face, half divine ; 
Then whispers the sweet words. 
"Ich Hebe dich allein." 

II. 

And when the twilight comes, 
Your spirit broods o'er me ; 
Your happy smiling face 
In pictured scenes I see. 
Your twinkling roguish eyes 
Seem looking into mine ; 
I hear you wispering, 
"Ich Hebe dich allein." 
(70 



- 72 - 

III. 

And when the twilight's gone, 
And the dark night shades fall ; 
I feel your presence, wife, 
I hear the spirits call — 
And the night winds which moan, 
Thro' yonder lonely pine, 
Your message bear to me — 
"Ich Hebe dich allein." 

THE AFTERTHOUGHT. 

The distant town clock tolls the hour of ten, 
And as by fate, or by some strange design ; 
The strokes recall those tender words again- 
"Ich liebe dich — Ich liebe dich allein." 



INDEPENDENCE DAY. 



^irice hallowed morn, 
On which was born 
The freedom of a people ; 
In hollowed strain 
The glad refrain 
Peels forth from belfryed steeple. 



The flag of silvery stars, 
The flag of crimson bars, 
Unfurls its folds to-day ; 
Rekindling flame within, 
Of freedom, mid the din 
Of Independence Day. 

The patriotic flame. 
By freedom's holy name 
Is fanned anew to life ; 
Recalls the cannon's roar, 
vScenes that have gone before, 
Of carnage and of strife. 
(73) 



— 74 — 

And as the silvery stars, 
And as the crimson bars, 
Wave 'neath the summer skies 
In pictured scenes we see 
Our heroes brave, and we 
Them now immortalize. 



The cannon's roar 
Is heard once more, 

Recalls it freedoms story, 
And freedom's light 
Is shining bright. 

Mid Independence glory. 



AN ORDER FOR A PICTURE. 



I. 

|ome, artist, me a picture paint, 
The scene a woodland glade, 
W^ A stream — a pure, clear sparkling stream, 
And oaks, beneath whose shade 
In fancy I may rest these limbs. 

Aweary from the strife ; 
Come, artist, come and paint the scene, 
A picture true to life. 

II. 

Wild flowers, varied in their tints. 

To dot the landscape o'er, 
The stream, its banks in verdure green — 

With pebbles on the shore 
Near which the laughing water's dance, 

And sing the livelong day, 
Their joyous song — the while they kiss 

The shore in wanton play. 
(75) 



- 76 - 
III. 

The ruins of some castle old, 

On which, Time's hand has laid 
Its crumbling touch, 'twill teach me that 

These earthly things must fade. 
And in the distance, far away, 

Let snowcapped mountains rise 
To height sublime — the while the Sun 

Sets mid Celestial dyes. 

IV. 

Such scenes as these make one forget 

lyifes worry and its strife ; 
I'll pay thee well, come, artist paint, 

The picture true to life. 



IN MEMORIAM OF THE FIREMEN 
WILLIAM BOCKLAGE AND EDWARD ANDERSON. 



Wn muffled tones the brazen bell, 
M Tolls forth its rune of human woe ; 
"^ Its dirge-like music seems to tell 
To human hearts that overflow — 
In sad and subdued monotone ; 
They live — and ye are not alone. 



A stillness lingers in the air, 

A silence reigns supreme ; 

The clouds in Heavens canopy, 

All motionless now seem. 

In all his splendor the bright Sun, 

His rays seems to withhold ; 

Two widows mourn their greatest loss, 

A sacrifice untold. 

(77) 



- 78 - 

A player from kind and loving hearts 

Goes out in weak assent, 

Acknowledging the might of Death 

Upon his errand bent. 

A solemn prayer is offered up, 

A prayer firm and true ; 

The tears that fall from kindly eyes, 

Surpass e'en Heaven's dew. 

Alas, we cannot understand 
Why the loved ones should die, 
Our grief is vain, He know^eth best, 
And w^hen we qu^estion why— 
We seem to hear the answer, and 
The cold and stern reply, 
It is the changelCvSS will of Ood, 
That all who live must die. 

Then cease your weeping for the dead 

'Tis an unbroken bond — 

And they have found eternal peace, 

In that fair world beyond. 

And when this life has ceased to be. 

You'll meet on that fair shore; 

You'll meet, not as you met on earth. 

You'll meet to part no more. 



THE HOLY GRAIL. 




hen the burden's heavy, brother. 
m And your load is hard to bear : 

When your friends seem to forsake you, 

When you've more than your own share 
Of these earthly ills ; there's easing — 

On the Savior cast your care ; 
He will give you peace, my brother ; 

He will hearken to your prayer. 
If the way is dark and dreary, 

If the clouds are hanging low ; 
If you've lost your way, my brother. 

And you know not where to go — 
L/Ook to Jesus, He will lead 3'ou, 

Guide you safely thro' the night ; 
Guide your wearj^ feet, my brother, 

Out from darkness into light. 
When you meet with sore disaster, 

When your hopes all seem to fail, 
Know my brother, in their dying — 

That you've found the Holy Grail. 
Drink with Him the cup of sorrow, 

Know the crucifixion tree ; 
Then your soul shall know the secret 

Of the Christ of Galilee. 



SHADOW PAINTINGS ON THANKSGIVING EVE. 



'he hour was late, the lamp was burning low ; 
The room was draped in darkness, and the glow 
^^ Of dying coals, sent forth a flickering light, 
Which painted weird fantasms of the night 
Upon the wall — such were they, as one seems 
To see, when one is in the land of dreams. 

One shadow seemed like that of an old man, 
With scanty locks — who must have passed the span 
Of man's alloted age. He seemed to pra3^ 
His head was bowed, methought I heard him say : 
Lord, hear my praj^er of thankfulness, 

Tho' I am sore oppressed — 
I thank Thee still, for at life's close 
I know Thou'lt give me rest. 

And then the scene was changed, this time I saw 
A woman frail, upon a bed of straw, 
Amid the shadows — she was not alone. 
For tho' death hovered near, about her shone 
The glory of the Master, and 
In thankfulness her soul 
Went forth to meet its maker — went forth. 
To seek its Heav'nly goal. 
(80) 



— Si — 

Another then my vision seemed to grace, 
Two lovers met, at their old trysting place ; 
And happy in each others love were they, 
And a glad song, soon seemed to wing its \vay 
To Heaven's throne ; a song of joy 
Which they could not repress ; 
And so to God an anthem 'rose, 
A song of thankfulness, 
^ * ^.^ 
The last scene, happiest of them all, 
Was the thanksgiving dinner ; 
I saw the providence of God, 
Bestowed on saint and sinner. 
And then I wondered how it was, 
That men, forgotten had 
The one who gave each perfect gift. 
Mid their thanksgivings glad. 
^ ^ ^ 
The hour was late — the lamp was low. 
The dying coals had ceased to glow^ ; 
The weird fantastic paintings of the night, 

That had appeared, w^ere gone — and then 
I sought my couch, laid by my pen — 
The Goddess of the Muse had ta'en her flight. 



